Thirteen people are presumed dead and 10 were injured in a "multiple-fatality collision" that occurred on Thursday on a highway in Canada, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The crash took place on the Trans-Canada Highway between a semi-truck and a bus near the town of Carberry in southwest Manitoba, as reported by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The collision occurred around 11:40 a.m., local time. The semi-truck was traveling eastbound on Highway 1 when it collided with the bus, which was traveling southbound on Highway 5, while crossing the eastbound lanes, the police reported.
"It immediately became clear that this was a multiple-fatality situation," said Superintendent Rob Lasson, in charge of Manitoba's major crimes services during a press conference on Thursday evening.
The police provided an update on Friday, stating that images of the collision obtained from the semi-truck indicated that it had the right-of-way.
"A thorough analysis of the video is being conducted before any further determinations are made," said the police. "We are investigating if the semi-truck had an event data recorder that will help us obtain critical information, such as speed, exact coordinates, and mechanical condition."
The bus was carrying 25 people, most of whom were elderly, according to Deputy Commissioner Rob Hill. According to the police, the passengers were between the ages of 55 and 88.
Ten individuals, six women and four men, were transported to the hospital with various injuries, according to the police. The local coroner was working to confirm the identities of the deceased, which included 13 women and two men, as reported by the police.
"For all those who are waiting, I can't imagine how difficult it is not knowing if the person you love the most will come home tonight," said Hill during the press conference.
Both drivers survived the accident and are in the hospital, according to authorities.
Lasson emphasized on Thursday that it was still early, but the incident would be thoroughly investigated.
"We must consider that there may be irregularities and, if so, there may be a criminal element to this investigation," said Lasson, describing it as a "complex and large-scale investigation."
The director of the trucking company involved in the accident, Day & Ross, said they would fully cooperate with the investigation and "offer any assistance and support that we can."
"All of us at Day & Ross are devastated by the tragic news from Manitoba this afternoon," said Day & Ross CEO, William Doherty, in a statement to CTV. "The thoughts of the entire Day & Ross team are with those who have lost loved ones in this terrible incident, and we hope for a speedy recovery for the injured."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the news of the accident as "incredibly tragic."
"My deepest condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones today, and my thoughts are with the injured," he tweeted. "I can't imagine the pain the affected individuals are feeling, but Canadians are here to support them."
Originally posted at Liga Legal® Abogados
